Adjustable length golf putter with self locking design

ABSTRACT

A putter, adjustable in length to suit the golfer&#39;s stature and preferred posture, which utilises a self locking design to secure the putter, and necessitates a tool to adjust the length of the putter.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Moore, U.S. Pat. No. 6,213,891

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

[0003] Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Golf has become a popular recreational game. In the game of golfa ball is played from the teeing ground to the putting green bysuccessive strokes, and once on the putting green into the hole, using aspecialised club called a putter.

[0005] A conventional short putter (FIG. 1) is between 85 and 90 cm intotal length, and has a single grip 1, located at the top end of theshaft 2. The player grasps the single grip with both hands (FIG. 2) whenputting the ball with the putter head 3.

[0006] Whilst the use of a putter is an apparently simple action, it isperhaps the part of golf which is least reliable from day to day. Acommon problem that golfers experience when putting is excessive wristflexure, or hinging of the wrists, when swinging their putter, whichcontributes to inconsistency of both direction and distance control.

[0007] An extreme form of poor putting is a condition known as the“yips”, whereby the golfer has greatly excessive wrist flexure inhis/her stroke, sometimes accompanied by excessive body movement aswell. It has been known for golfers suffering from the putting “yips” tooccasionally even miss the ball completely.

[0008] Many famous golfers, including Sam Snead, Ben Hogan, BernhardLanger, and Tom Watson have had periods of very unreliable shortdistance putting, using conventional short putters.

[0009] To improve their putting some golfers are no longer using aconventional short putter, and are now using a long putter (FIG. 3) in asimple pendulum type putting action, or a belly putter, which is amid-length putter which hinges from the belly button.

[0010] As such there are now three distinct types of putter: short, mid.(or belly), and long

[0011] A long putter is between 120 and 130 cm. in total length, and hastwo grips, an upper grip 4, located at the top end of the shaft 5, and alower grip 6, below it on the shaft . The player grasps the upper. gripwith one hand when putting the ball, and this upper hand is stabilisedagainst the body, usually the chest (FIG. 4), or chin, and remainsrelatively stationary during the putting stroke. The other hand gripsthe lower grip 6, providing the force to hit the ball and the putter ispivoted with this lower hand from a pivot point in the approximate areaof the upper hand.

[0012] The long putter is sometimes difficult to transport as it is toolong for many car trunks. Therefore it would be an advantage if a longputter was adjustable for length so the golfer could alter the length toshorten the putter for ease of transportation.

[0013] Also when using the long putter, (FIG. 4), the golfer drawsattention to the use of this putter, as one elbow 7, sticks out. Thisungainly looking method can cause the golfer embarrassment.

[0014] Putters may have a single short grip (FIGS. 1 and 2), a pair ofshort grips (FIG. 3), or single long grip 8, with various tapers (FIGS.5 and 6), or no taper (FIG. 7).

[0015] In late 1999 a well known professional golfer called Paul Azingerbegan using a mid length putter which is long enough to fit into hisbelly button when assuming the normal putting posture. A belly putterhas one or two grips. This method has become known as belly putting, andin the last two years has grown in popularity with four golfers in thetop fifty of the world rankings now using a belly putter.

[0016] Belly putters are commercially available in various fixed lengthsfrom 100 to 115 cm There is a link to companies selling belly putters onthe web site http://www.bellyputter.com.

[0017] It would also be an advantage if a belly putter was adjustablefor length, so the golfer could alter the length to suit their desiredposture, and that this adjustment was conforming to the Rules of Golf,as determined by the United States Golf Association™, and the Royal andAncient Golf Club of St Andrews™.

[0018] In 2000, Dave Pelz, a well respected golf instructor; and coachto many world ranking professionals, published a golf instructional bookcalled “The Short Game Bible” (Broadway Books, New York, 2000). Mr Pelznoted that to avoid adopting a weak and unstable wrist position at theaddress position it is advisable to use a shorter putter than iscurrently available.

[0019] Short putters are commercially available only in various fixedlengths from 80 to 90 cm.

[0020] Therefore it would also be an advantage if a short putter wasadjustable for length so the golfer could alter the length to suit theirdesired posture.

[0021] Telescoping golf shafts are described in patents, and thefollowing patents represent the approaches to securing the shafts.

[0022] Middleton, U.S. Pat. No. 5,733,203, describes a telescopingputter, with 2 shafts, with a “locking screw” to secure the shaft.

[0023] Harrison, U.S. Pat. No. 5,649,870, describes a telescopic shaftarrangement where simple friction secures the two telescoping taperedshafts in a semi fixed position.

[0024] Mazzocco, U.S. Pat. No. 4,674,747 discloses a golf club havingadjustable length shaft retractable between fully extended and collapsedpositions. The golf club has plural concentric telescopic interlockingtubular sections which produce a friction lock between the tubularsections in a fully extended position There is a club commerciallyavailable utilizing this principle (http:/www.allinonegolfclub.com).

[0025] Sundin, U.S. Pat. No. 5,584,769, describes a shaft which can beconstructed of two or more telescopically-adjustable or collapsiblemembers to allow the same to adjust to different lengths for individualgolfers. However, Sundin does not specify how the two shafts are to besecured in position.

[0026] Lee, U.S. Pat. No. 5,569,096, describes “the shaft inserted intothe handle, threadably tightening a locking nut over a flexible ring anda external thread until the flexible ring is squeezed over the shaftprevents the shaft from slipping—thereby effectively locking the shaftin the desired length.”

[0027] Napolitano, U.S. Pat. No. 5,282,619, descibes a shaft which has anumber of telescopic sections where a locking nut and a compression ringpermit adjacent sections of the telescopic section to be locked in afixed position relative to each.

[0028] Whilst all the above patented inventions technically allowadjustment none are both variable in length and in accordance with theRules of Golf.

[0029] The Rules of Golf do not allow readily made adjustment to clubs,and until May 2002 an adjustable length putter has never been determinedas legal by the United States Golf Association.

[0030] 18 pars Ltd, a company in which the applicant is a shareholder,is in receipt of a letter from the United States Golf Association™,which states “the default-locked mechanism submitted has been judgedconforming with the Rules of Golf.” (letter from the United States GolfAssociation, April 2002, Decision 2002-185).

[0031] This is the first time ever that a length adjustable putter hasbeen approved. The United States Golf Association™ has decided thedefault locked mechanism submitted can not be inadvertently, or secretlyadjusted by. the golfer during the play of a round of golf.

[0032] A mechanism which is conforming for belly putters is also likelyto be judged conforming for regular shorter putters. Whilst not ascritical as for belly putters, it is nevertheless advantageous to beable to customise the length for all types of putters, to suit thegolfer's physique, and preferred posture when putting.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0033] A putter, adjustable in length to suit the golfer's stature andpreferred posture, which, utilises a self locking fixing mechanism tosecure the putter, tat necessitates a tool to adjust the length of theputter. without the tool the putter length is fixed.

[0034] A self locking fixing mechanism is defined as a mechanism which,by default, locks or fixes the components of the putter relative to eachother, and is secure enough so that it requires a tool to loosen thecomponents, and thereby adjust the length of the putter.

[0035] In the detailed description and drawings that follow three selflocking mechanism are described by way of example. These are a selflocking collet, a self locking split tube, and a self locking threadedfitting with frictional internal nibs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE INVENTION

[0036]FIG. 1 is a conventional short putter with a short grip.

[0037]FIG. 2 shows the method of using a conventional short putter,grasping the single grip with both hands.

[0038]FIG. 3 is a long putter as currently available, with two spacedshort grips.

[0039]FIG. 4 shows the method of using a long putter as currentlyavailable.

[0040]FIG. 5 is a long putter with a single long grip, which tapers sothat the cross section of the grip is greater towards the putter-headend.

[0041]FIG. 6 is a long putter with a single long grip, which tapers sothat the cross section of the grip is greater towards the belly buttonend, when in use.

[0042]FIG. 7 is a long putter with a single long grip, which has notaper.

[0043]FIG. 8 shows the method of using a belly putter.

[0044]FIG. 9a is an adjustable length putter with a single grip.

[0045]FIG. 9b is an adjustable length putter with two grips.

[0046]FIG. 9c is a threaded adjusting tool.

[0047]FIG. 10 shows a telescoping putter in various lengths, and withthe adjusting tool removed.

[0048]FIG. 11 is a self locking collet mechanism, with adjusting tool.

[0049]FIG. 12 shows a self locking split shaft mechanism in twovariations, with adjusting tools.

[0050]FIG. 13 is a self locking threaded fitting with fictional internalribs, with adjusting tool.

[0051]FIG. 14 shows the end cap detail of a reverse taper self lockingadjustable length putter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:

[0052] This invention describes an adjustable length putter, which islegal for play, with one or two grips (FIGS. 9a/b), which may bere-positioned up and down the shaft 5, in a variety of positions (FIG.10), and secured in place to suit the gofer's stature and preferredposture.

[0053] There may be one grip 8, of any length, which is on a shaftunderneath it to support it, or there may be two grips 13/14, which areboth on a second shaft 15.

[0054] Alternatively the lower grip 13 may be on the shaft 5 whichconnects to the putter head, but the upper grip 14 is on the upper shaft15.

[0055] The two key features of this invention are that the putter lengthis self locked by default, and the adjustment can not be made without atool 11.

[0056] A self locking fixing mechanism is defined as a mechanism which,by default, locks or fixes the components of the putter relative to eachother, and is secure enough so that it requires a tool to loosen thecomponents, and thereby adjust the length of the putter.

[0057] There are three components to a putter, the putter-head, shaft,and grip, and this invention relates to adjustment of the relativepositions of the shaft and grip.

[0058] The grip may be either a structurally rigid unit of itself,(perhaps ‘plastics’ and or metals), or merely a grip which is supportedby a rigid internal member such as a golf shaft. In this case therewould be an inner (lower) shaft and an outer (upper) shaft, with aninternal diameter which is greater than the outer diameter of the innershaft.

[0059] This would allow the length of the putter to be adjusted by thesetwo telescoping shafts, with the outer shaft being secured to the innershaft.

[0060] Alternatively where the grip is a structural rigid unit itselfthis grip may be secured in position on the shaft directly.

[0061] In the detailed description that follows three self lockmechanisms are described. These are a split-collet (FIG. 11), asplit-tube (FIG. 12), and a threaded collet with frictional internalribs (FIG. 13).

[0062] A self locking split-collet (FIG. 11) is a device which has aninternal diameter 16 smaller than the outer diameter of the shaft S itis designed to lock on. This difference in diameter is typically in therange of 0.05 mm to 0.5 mm.

[0063] There is a slot 17, which allows the self locking split-collet tobe varied in internal diameter 16 at the larger external diameter end 18of the collet, but to have a constant internal diameter 19 at thesmaller external diameter end 20 of the collet.

[0064] By rotating the threaded tool 11 into the threaded hole 21 thegolfer can loosen the split-collet 12 and attached grip 8 to alter thelength of the putter(FIG. 10).

[0065] The grip is attached to the top end of the tool 20, and to allowfree movement of the grip over the shaft 5 has an internal diameter 19which is greater the shaft 5.

[0066] A variation of the split-collet could use a tapering-collet muchlike that which holds a router bit in an electric woodworking router.

[0067] A second mechanism which is self locking is a split-tube 22. Thismechanism (FIG. 12) is similar to the split-collet (FIG. 11), but isslender in character and tends to operate on the shaft 5 with less forcebut over a longer distance.

[0068] Being slender a self locking split-tube allows a standard puttergrip to be used, and lends itself well to being designed as a productsold for regular putters, either to have them configured as anadjustable belly putter or more likely as an adjustable short putter.

[0069] The split-tube itself may be a modified drawn or extruded tube,or similar, or a cast, injection moulded, or machined component.

[0070] The tool to adjust the putter could utilise a thread as in thesplit-collet, but a simple design is the use of a tool 23 which is oval24 in cross section The tool fits neatly into a similarly oval crosssection hole in the lower slot 25 of the split-tube. When the tool isused it is rotated through up to 90 degrees to open up the slot 25 andloosen the split-tubes grip on the shaft 5.

[0071] An alternative tool would not need there to be an oval hole 14 inthe slot 25 but could separate the slot 25 by two parts of the toolmoving apart, after having been inserted in the slot.

[0072] To provide sufficient surface area for these tools to work on thesplit-tube it may be advantageous for there to be localised thickening26 in the split-tube mechanism

[0073] A further variation of the split-tube mechanism could be used toalter the length of the shaft itself 5. In this example the shaft 5would be made up of a pair of telescoping shafts, the upper with one ortwo grips on it, and the mechanism would serve to lock the two shafts inposition, rather than to lock a grip in position. This mechanism wouldalso be self locking to meet the requirements of the Rules of Golf.

[0074] A third mechanism (FIG. 13) which is self locking is a threadedcollet 27 with fictional internal ribs 28. There are correspondingexternal frictional ribs 29 on the outside of the inner tool 30.

[0075] Initially the collet can be turned by hand, but before the innertool 30 locks onto the shaft 5 it is necessary to use a tool 31 to applyleverage so the collet is able to continue turning and decrease theinternal diameter of the inner tool 30.

[0076] The method of securing either the rigid grip, or the outer shaft,to the inner (lower) shaft may involve a mechanical device which reducesthe internal diameter of either the rigid grip (over some or all of itslength), or of the outer shaft, (over some of all of its length), sothat a friction fit occurs to the inner shaft.

[0077] A preferred embodiment is an adjustable length putter with areverse taper single grip. The applicant for this patent holds U.S. Pat.No. 6,213,891, which claims a reverse taper putter grip 32 over 350 mmin length (FIG. 14). A reverse taper grip is slender at the top in thearea where it engages with the belly button 33, and this grip wouldtherefore fit comfortably into the navel, or belly button. However withits smaller cross section a reverse taper grip is prone to damage atthis slender end. To strengthen the grip at this slender end it isadvantageous if the end of the grip were made more durable, andsupported by an outer durable end cap 34. This end cap would be made ofmetal or another rigid material, and may have a drainage hole in thesmaller end 35. The end cap may be a simple taper as shown or parallelalong it's length. This end cap will typically be from 10 to 200 mm inlength.

[0078] Where two grips are used (FIG. 9b), it is preferable the uppergrip 14 is slender in cross section, and the use of an end cap wouldstrengthen this end.

[0079] Whilst continuous length adjustment is practical with theabovementioned mechanisms, it may be advantageous to use a step wisevariation using perhaps a method commonly found in telescopic walkingsticks or telescopic tent poles. A domed button, which operates radiallyoutwards, near the top of the shaft 5, engages one of a sequence ofholes which run length wise with in the structure of the grip S. Stepwise adjustment may be preferred by golfers as one can easily tryvarious lengths and go back to former lengths to compare.

[0080] The method of securing the telescoping elements may alternativelyinvolve the action of an Allen key or similar tool which acts one ormore grub screws or other fixing devices which effectively reduce thediameter of the outer shaft or an attached or integral fixing device,thereby causing a friction fit to occur on the inner shaft.

[0081] An essential feature of the aforementioned mechanisms is thatthere are two shall components, or a shaft component and a gripcomponent, which are telescoping, and substantially parallel to eachother, in the area where they telescope.

[0082] The fixing mechanism may be at either end of the lower grip 6(FIGS. 3 and 9b) in the case of a two grip putter, and the putter mayvary in the distance from the lower grip 6 and the putter head.Alternatively the distance between the lower grip 6 and the upper grip 4may be varied, or indeed both distances may be variable with in oneputter.

[0083] Any of the mechanist may be designed to be used on regularputters which are commonly parallel in the upper 25 cm The internaldiameter of the mechanism will need to be slightly smaller than theshaft it is to clamp onto.

[0084] Aspects of this present invention have been described by way ofexample only and it should be appreciated that modifications andadditions may be made without departing from the scope thereof

I claim:
 1. A golf putter, of adjustable length which is self-locking indesign, and requires a tool to loosen the components to adjust thelength.
 2. A golf grip, or a pair of golf grips, designed to be placedon a golf shaft, self-locking in design, and requiring a tool to loosenthe grip or grips to adjust the length of the putter.
 3. A pair ofshafts which are able to telescope, secured by a self locking mechanism,and requiring a tool to loosen the shafts to alter the total length. 4.A golf putter as in claim 1 with one or two grips.
 5. A golf putter asin claim 1 with one or two grips which are rigid structural entities inthemselves.
 6. A golf putter as in claim 1 with one or two grips whichare not rigid structural entities in themselves, but are on a rigidshaft or support structure,.
 7. A golf putter as in claim 1 where thelength adjustment is step wise.
 8. A golf putter as in claim 1 where thelength adjustment is continuous.
 9. A golf putter as in claim 1 with aself-locking collet mechanism.
 10. A golf putter as in claim 1 with aself-locking tube mechanism.
 11. A golf putter as in claim 1 with aself-locking internal resistance device.
 12. A golf putter as in claim 1with two shaft components which are telescoping, and substantiallyparallel to each other, in the area where they telescope.
 13. A golfputter as in claim 1 with a shaft component and a grip component, whichare telescoping, and substantially parallel to each other, in the areawhere they telescope.
 14. A golf putter as in claim 1 with an outerrigid end cap.
 15. A golf grip or pair of golf grips as in claim 2 withan outer rigid end cap, at the grip end which engages with the navel.